A Day To Remember – Make It Make Sense
Lotta surprises from A Day To Remember this week. They dropped Big Ole Album Vol. 1 out of nowhere, which is fun. They also revealed that, apart from this and partner single LeBron (as well as Feedback from ages ago), for now you'll have to get the physical thing to listen to it. Third surprise: this is the heaviest the Ocala outfit have been in years. No surprise: it's really good. Get ready to throw down at Slam Dunk.
Machine Head – UNBØUND
When Robb Flynn's on massive, chest-beating, uncouth metal beast form, he and Machine Head are unstoppable. So it goes that on this first cut from the Oakland metal heroes' just-announced 11th album UNATØNED, with a massive, string-bending riff, they're like a rhino storming into the room. We like that.
URNE – Throes Of Grief
If you've ben paying attention over the past couple of years, you'll know that London riff monsters URNE are one of the most thrilling rising bands in British metal. Kicking in the door on a new chapter, Throes Of Grief – released with a superb cover of Dio-era Sabbath classic I – hits with the excitement and walloping guitars of early Mastodon. Keep an eye on them this year – this is clearly the start of something very special.